Paper making machine and process



Sept. 15, 1964 D. E..ROBINSON PAPER MAKING MACHINE AND PROCESS Filedsept 26, 1961 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 "llllllll i lllllllllllllllll l nur..nlllllldll.

VENTR oA wn E. Rae/N50 Sept 15, 1964 D. E. ROBINSON 3,149,028

PAPER MAKING MACHINE AND PROCESS Filed Sept 26, 1961 3 Sheets-Sheet 2/A/ VEN TOR 0A WD E. ROBINSON Sept 15 1964 D. E. ROBINSON 3,149,028

PAPER MAKING MACHINE AND PROCESS Filed Sept. 26, 1961 5 Sheets-Sheet 53,149,1)2 PAPER MAKES MACEHNI AND PRCESS David E. Robinson, Norwalk,Conn., assigner to Paper Machine Components, incorporated, Norwalk,Conn., a corporation of Connecticut Fired Sept. 26, 1961, Ser. No.146,778 Claims. (Ci. 162-303) This invention relates to paper makingmachines and methods. More specifically, it pertains to improvements inthe Fourdrinier sections of paper making machines and to a. process forforming paper, board and the like.

The present application is a continuation-in-part of my copendingapplication Serial No. 45,858, filed Iuly 28, 1960, now abandoned.

The manufacture of paper is based essentially upon the principle offorming a web of fibers from stock mixture, containing paper formingfibers in water suspension, by depositing the bers against a supportingforaminous surface.

Heretofore, the majority of Fourdinier machines, whether single wire ortwin wire devices, employed either a shake or forming boards and groovedand plain rolls to even out the thick and thin streaks in the web and toobtain suitable formation. Further, such machines relied on doctorblades or slices and vacuum devices for removing the water vehicledirectly from the stock mixture.

While Fourdrinier machines of the type heretofore known have been usedfor many years, there are a number of disadvantages inherent in theiroperation which result in little or no control over the rate ofdrainage, poor formation control and considerable basis weight variationIt is known that table rolls, doctor blades and the like, when in directengagement with the wire on which the web is formed, cause disruption ofthe forming sheet, a high iines loss and possible pinholing as theresult of intense localized dewatering. Further, such direct engagementmay result in stapling at the doctor blades, slices and the like whichproduces thick and thin streaks in the formed sheet.

Another problem with known paper making machines is their excessive sizeresulting from the great distance it is necessary to travel thesuspension or web so that suiiicient water is removed during sheetforming operations.

The present invention overcomes the problems aforenoted by substantiallyeliminating table rolls, doctor blades and the like and providing amethod and means for dewatering the stock at a rapid rate in arelatively short travel distance without disruption or reabsorption,thus facilitating control over the rate of drainage and formation andreducing variation in basis weight.

According to one form of the invention, this is achieved by distributingand arranging the fibers in the stock prior to feeding it into theforming zone and then forcing the stock into the forming zone betweentravelling belts at a velocity substantially equal to the velocity ofthe belts. The belts are of such a character as to be able to containsubstantially all of the water removed from the stock at any giveninstant without impeding its ovv from the stock. Thereafter, the stockand belts move together through the forming zone, which may be regulatedto control its contour, and the water is removed from the stock into thebelts and -inally disposed of in any convenient manner.

lt is' therefore an object of the present invention to provide a papermaking machine having a slice or nozzle, which is adapted to distributeand arrange the fibers of the stock mixture, positioned to feed themixture directly into the forming zone between opposed travelling beltsat a velocity substantially equal to the velocity of the belts.

ICC

It is also an object of the invention to provide a paper making machinehaving a pair of opposed travelling belts defining the forming zone forthe sheet, which travels with the sheet or mixture during the dewateringoperation and cooperativvely provide passages for conducting the wateraway from the sheets at both sides.

Another object of the invention is to provide a paper making machinewherein twin belts defining the forming zone travel with the web duringthe forming of lthe sheet and cooperatively provide pores or passagesfor conducting water away from the web, the pores or passagesI being ofa length to provide sufficient volume for containing within themselvessubstantially all the water to be removed from the web at any giveninstant Without substantially affecting the flow of Water from the web.

Another object of the invention is to provide a paper making machinehaving a pair of opposed foraminous belts, each including at least onesheet forming wire, which define the forming zone and travel with thesheet forming web, the belts cooperatively conducting the water awayfrom the web during the dewatering opera.- tion.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a paper makingmachine in which the forming zone is substantially vertically disposedand defined by opposed supported foraminous belts adapted to travel withthe forming sheet and conduct the water therefrom.

It is thus still further an object of the invention to provide anapparatus for dewatering a web in the forming of a paper sheet in whichthe water is rapidly, progressively removed from the web in a relativelyshort vertical forming zone without disruption of the web.

Other objects wand advantages will be apparent from the specificationand claims when considered in c0nnection with the attached sheets ofdrawings, illustrating one form of the invention, wherein likecharacters represent like parts, and in which:

FlG. 1 is a schematic side elevation partly in section of a Fourdriniersection of a paper making machine and its associated parts in accordancewith embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary elevational view taken along line 2-2 of FIG. l,with some of the parts broken away.

FIG. 3 is an elevational view taken along line 3 3 of FIG. 1.

Referring to FIG. 1, the machine includes a `slice or jet nozzlearrangement 1@ Ifor feeding stock mixture into the forming zone betweena pair of opposed travelling belts, as will be hereinafter described.While the slice may take any form which will function to distribute andarrange the fibers prior to feeding the stock into the forming zone, inthe illustrated form of the invention it has a throat or contractingsection 11 and a passage 12 of constant or substantially constantcross-sectional area dened by the slice proper 13. The slice 13 has itswalls terminating in semi-rigid, wear-resistant lips 14 which arepreferably made of rubber or other suitable material. The width of theslice opening may be adjusted by means of screws 15 which engagerespectively a pair Yof twoarmed levers 16 pvotally mounted centrally at17 on Supporting frame members 18. The free ends of levers 16 engage theouter surfaces of the slice 13 adjacent lips 14.

The Fourdrinier section includes `a pair of frames 19 and 20. Frame 19has mounted at the upper end thereof a breast roll 21 and at the lowerend a couch roll 22. Similarly the frame 20 supports another breast roll23 and a presser roll 24. Each frame assembly includes a foraminousplate 25 mounted tangent to rolls 21, 22 and 23, 24 respectively, andhaving sharp leading and trailing edges which ride or substantially ridethe rolls at both ends of the plate or extend in close proximitythereto, in

couch roll 21, Z2 of frame 19 and on the breast and presser roll 23, 24of frame 2b. Each set, as shown in greater detail in FIG. 2, includes atine mesh wire 26, a coarse mesh wire 27 and a oraminous or porous sheetor belt 28 of flexible plastic or other suitable material. The two wiresand the sheet are backed by the plate 25 on each assembly, which aremovable to adjust for slack and ride on outer guide rolls 2h; the wire26 of frame It? rides furthermore on an outboard guide roll 30.

While the endless belts lhave been shown and described as including atine mesh wire 26, a coarse mesh wire 27 and a foraminous sheet 28, itshould here be noted that they need not be limited to such constructionsince the important function of the belts is their ability tocooperatively provide passages or pores having a volume suticient forrapidly conducting all of the water away from the web that is being`formed and containing such water, if necessary. In order to achievethis end, the foraminous sheets 23 are thick enough to cooperativelyprovide passages or pores of su'icient length to contain all orsubstantially all of the Water removed from the stock mixture at anygiven instant without impeding the ilow of water from the stock mixtureand may be perforated, as at 33 in the illustrated embodiment of theinvention, cellular or of like porous construction.

rlf`he two frame assemblies are mounted opposite each other so as todeline between the foraminous plates 2S and the belts thereon a formingzone 3i, into which opens directly the slice 13. As shown in thedrawings the arrangement is preferably disposed vertically with theslice at the upper end, but it may also be disposed in any inclined orin a horizontal position, provided that gravity run-oil of Water ispossible from both sides of the forming zone.

As shown, the wires 26 and 27 and sheet 28 of each belt move togetherthrough the forming zone, but it should be understood that they may beseparated at any desired point therealong to remove the water containingsheet 2S from reabsorbing contact wtih the web.

The frames 19 and 2) are secured at their upper and lower ends tocranked adjustment screws 32 mounted in the supporting frame members 13mentioned above, so that the frames are adjustable individually at eachend to Vary the spacing between them, and their angle of convergence.The slice lips i4 are suitably positioned with respect to the breastrolls 21 and 23 so that the inner edges of the lips 14 may be alignedtangentially with the outer faces of fine mesh wires 26, and so that thelips may ride or be in close proximity to the outer surfaces of thewires in substantial sealing contact therein.

It is noted that the apparatus is operative also if only one slice walland if only one frame is mounted adjustably yby means of screws T S and3?. respectively. In this case one side of the slice and of the frameassembly is stationary and the other side may be moved towards or awayfrom it to obtain the desired adjustment.

The perforations in the sheets 28 and in the plates 2S are preferably inthe form of slots 33 and 343 respectively which in the sheets aredisposed lengthwise along wire travel (FIG. 2) and in the platestransversely to wire travel, the slots of the sheet and plate partlyintersecting each other. The slots 34 of the plates 25 extend downwardlyat an angle of about 45 or less from the inwardly facing surfaces of theplates (FIG. 1) `so as to present sharp leading edges which assist inscraping water from the sheets 28. The inclination of the slots 34 alsotends to increase the suction pick-up from the web in the forming zoneby reducing the angle at which the water is drawn olf in relation to thedirection of How of the stock through the forming zone.

Slots 33 must be suliiciently narrow to prevent sagging of the lwires 26and 27 yet wide enough to prevent plugging. Furthermore the intervalsbetween the slots must be wide enough to provide adequate support forthe wires. The same criteria apply to slots 34 in the plates 25. Y

The plates are rigidly supported by transversely disposed beams 35secured 'to frames 19 and Ztl and forming with the plates a plurality ofVtransversely elongated suction boxes 36 closed at the sides by decides37. The beams 35 are sloped downwardly on both sides of the centralplane of the machine (FG. 3) and suction draining pipes 33 are connectedto each suction box 36 at either end thereof. Suitable valving (notshown) is provided to control each suction box individually, and thepipes 33 are connected to an appropriate suction plant (not shown).

The couch roll 22 has a foraminous surface and includes a suction box39. The run of ne mesh wire 26 between the couch roll Y2.73 and theoutboard roll 3d passes adjacent a suction pick-up roll 40 provided witha suction box d1.

Gutters 42 and 53 are provided respectively under the couch roll 22 andunder the presser roll 24 to collect the spray from the wires, sheetsand rolls.

The machine embodying my invention operates as follows:

The paper stock is pressure fed through the throat contracting sectionlll of the slice and thence through the passage in slice 13 proper at aconstant high velocity such `as to ensure turbulent dow, resulting fromboundary layer friction, oi an order affording a completely randomdistribution of the fibers in the stream as it enters the forming zoneSi. The passage in the slice is or surlicient length to permit thefibers to thus redistribute themselves in passing from the contractingsection. The stream enters the forming zone at a pressure slightly aboveatmospheric. When the velocity of the stream and the speed of theforming wires `are nearly matched, the bers are laid on the wires in thesame random arrangement as they leave the slice, and with such rapiditythat the resulting web will be free from flocculation. By adjusting thespeed of the forming wires so that it exceeds the delivery velocity ofthe stock a directional sheet may be obtained and any requiredadjustments can be made rapidly and with great accuracy to afford anydegree of directional effect desired.

Thus the slice delivers a uniform layer of stock of the desiredthickness, consistency and velocity to the 'forming and dewatering zoneSi between the wires 26 of the opposed travelling belts. The wires 26carry the layer of stock between the opposed assemblies of suction boxes36 so that white water is drained from both faces of the stock layer ina controlled manner with the passages or pores provided by the beltsconducting the water away from the stock and containing the excess waterwhich cannot be rapidly handled land disposed of by the suction boxes.The water which is contained in the passages, while it may be heldtherein by any means known to the art against feedback or reabsorbtioninto the stock, in the preferred form or the invention is drawn yawayfrom the stock by vacuum until the belt lis separated from the wires.

lt should be mentioned that, while vacuum means are preferred fordrawing the water from the stock into the passages, in some embodimentsof the invention pressure, gravity or similar means may be utilized.

The gap between the couch roll 22 and the presser roll 2d is adjusted tosuit the caliper of the formed sheet. The slice opening and the breastroll gap as well as the surfaces of .the suction 'boxes may be adjustedin relation to the gap 4between couch and presser roll so as to disposethe wires and the forming zone at a converging angle in the downstreamdirection. The convergenceof the forming zone is suited to the 4rate ofdewatering, and its length is sufficient to set the sheet as it emergestherefrom to a dryness of 5 to 12%.

The suction in each suction box may be adjusted individually so thatgradually increasing suction may be applied by subsequent `boxes in thedirection of travel of the sheet as it is being formed.

As it emerges from the forming zone 3i the set sheet is held to the faceof the wire 26 on the left hand side by the suction exerted by couchroll 22 and is then taken up by the suction pick-up holl du. In thisinterval the sheet dryness is further raised to 17 to 23%.

The sheet is subsequently conveyed to the face of any conventional wetfelt or transfer roll (not shown) and thence to a wet press section (notshown) for further dewatering and processing of the sheet according toconventional practices.

Thus, among others, the various objects and advantages of the inventionas aforenoted are achieved. Obviously numerous changes may be resortedto without departing from the spirit of the invention as delned by theclaims.

I claim:

1. In a paper making machine, a pair of opposed travelling wiresdefining therebetween an elongated ytapered forming zone wherein afibrous stock mixture is received and formed into a unitary web, porousmeans operably adjacent the remote sur-faces of each of said wires `andtravelling with said wires, foraminous means for rigidly supporting atleast one of said wires and its respective porous means throughout itslength in the forming zone, said w-ires and porous means insulating saidweb from said foraminous supporting means, a slice, said slice includingjet nozzle means for thoroughly mixing the fibers of said stock mixtureto obtain an even distribution of the bers therein and adjustable meansthereafter feeding a controlled nonvarying amount of said mixture fromsaid mixing means directly into engagement with said opposed wires insaid forming zone at a velocity substantially equal to the Velocity ofsaid wires, means for simultaneously progressively removing water fromopposite sides of the stock mixture in the forming zone at`substantially the same rate, said porous means freely conductingsubstantially all of the water removed from the stock mixture at anygiven instant away from the forming zone at such given instant and beingadapted to hold substantially all of such removed water without impedingthe flow of water from the stock mixture, whereby the surface of saidweb is maintained substantially free of removed water, and means forremoving water from said porous means at a rate to enable said porousmeans to continuously receive substant-ially all of such removed wateryfrom said mixture.

2. In a paper making machine, a pair of opposed travelling wiresdefining therebetween an elongated tapered forming zone wherein afibrous stock mixture is received and formed into a unitary web, aforaminous belt operably adjacent the remote faces of each of said wiresand travelling with said wires at least through the forming zone, saidforaminous belts each providing a plurality of pores extendingsubstantially transversely of the length of the forming zone and openingtherein, foraminous means for rigidly supporting at least one of saidwires and its respective belt throughout their length in the formingzone, said wires and belt insulating said web from said foraminoussupporting means, a slice, sa-id slice including jet nozzle means forthoroughly mixing the fibers of said stock mixture to obtain an evendistribution of the fibers therein and adjustable means thereafterfeeding a controlled nonvarying amount of said stock mixture from saidmix-ing means directly into engagement with said opposed wires in saidforming zone at a velocity substantially equal to the velocity of thewires, means for simultaneously progressively removing water fromopposite sides of the stock mixture in the forming zone at substantiallythe same rate, said pores of said foraminous belts being of such a sizewhereby they cooperatively hold substantially all of the water removedfrom said stock mixture at any given instant without impeding the ow ofwater from the stock mixture so that the surface of said web ismaintained substantially water free, and means for removing water fromsaid pores in said foraminous belts at a rate to enable said pores tocontinuously receive substantially all of such removed water from saidmixture.

3. In a paper making machine, a pair of opposed travelling endless wiresdefining therebetween an elongated tapered forming zone wherein afibrous stock mixture is received and formed into a unitary web, anendless foraminous belt travelling with said Wires and operably adjacentthe remote faces of each of said Wires at least through a portion of theforming zone, said foraminous belts each providing a plurality of poresextending substantially transversely of the length of the forming zoneand opening therein, foraminous means for rigidly supporting at leastone of said wires and its respective belt throughout their length in theforming zone, said wires and belt insulating said web from saidforaminous supporting means, a slice, said slice including jet nozzlemeans forthoroughly mixing the fibers of said stock mixture to obtain aneven distribution of the fibers therein and adjustable means thereafterfeeding a controlled nonvarying amount of said stock mixture from saidmixing means directly into engagement with said opposed wires in saidforming zone at a velocity substantially equal to the velocity of thewires, means for simultaneously progressively removing water fromopposite sides of the stock mixture in the forming zone at substantiallythe same rate, said pores of said foraminous belts being of such a sizewhereby they cooperatively hold substantially all of the Water removedfrom said stock mixture at any given instant without impeding the ow ofwater from the stock mixture so that the surface of said web is'maintained substantially water free, and means for removing water fromsaid pores in said foraminous belts at a rate to enable said pores tocontinuously receive substantially all of such removed water from saidmixture.

4. In a paper making machine, a pair of opposed travelling wiresdefining therebetween an elongated tapered forming zone wherein afibrous stock mixture is received and formed into a unitary web, porousmeans' operably adjacent the remote surfaces of each of said wires andtravelling with said wires, foraminous means for rigidly supporting atleast one of said wires and its respective porous means throughout itslength in the forming zone, said wires and porous means insulating saidweb from said foraminous supporting means, a slice, said slice includingjet nozzle means for thoroughly mixing the fibers of said stock mixtureto obtain an even distribution of the fibers therein and adjustablemeans thereafter feeding a controlled nonvarying amount of said mixturefrom said mixing means directly into engagement with said opposed wiresin said forming zone at a velocity substantially equal to the velocityof said wires, vacuum means operably adjacent the remote surfaces of theporous means for simultaneously progressively removing water fromopposite sides of the stock mixture in the forming zone at substantiallythe same` rate, said porous means freely conducting substantially all ofthe water removed from the stock mixture at any given instant away fromthe forming zone at such given instant and being adapted to holdsubstantially all of such removed Water without impeding the flow ofWater from the stock mixture, whereby the surface of said web ismaintained substantially free of removed Water, and means for removingwater from said porous means at a rate to enable said porous means tocontinuously receive substantially all of such removed Water from saidmixture.

5. In a paper making machine, a pair of opposed travelling endless wiresdefining therebetween an elongated tapered forming zone wherein afibrous stock mixture is received and formed into a unitary web, anendless foraminous belt operably adjacent the remote faces of each ofsaid Wires and travelling with said Wires at least through the formingzone, said toraminous belts each providing a plurality of poresextending substantially transversely of the length of the forming zoneand opening therein, means for rigidly supporting at least one of saidwires and its respective belt throughout their length in the formingzone, said Wires and belt insulating said web from said supportingmeans, a slice, said slice including jet nozzle means for thoroughlymixing the iibers of said stock mixture to obtain an even distributionof the lfibers therein and adjustable means thereafter feeding acontrolled non-varying amount of said stock mixture from said mixingmeans directly into engagement with said opposed wires in said formingzone at a velocity substantially equal to the velocity of the wires, andvacuum means positioned adjacent said forming zone at remote sides ofsaid foraminous belts for simultaneously progressively removing Waterfrom opposite sides of the stock mixture in the forming zone atsubstantially the same rate, said pores of said oraminous belts being ofsuch a size whereby they cooperatively hold substantially all of thewater removed from said stock mixture at any given instant withoutimpeding the flow of water from the stock mixture so that the surface ofsaid web is maintained substantially Water free, said vacuum meansremoving Water from said pores in said foraminous belts at a rate toenable said pores to continuously receive substantially all of suchremoved water from said mixture.

6. In a paper making machine, a pair-of opposed travelling wires deningtherebetween an elongated tapered forming zone wherein a fibrous stockmixture isl received and formed into a unitary web, a foraminous beltoperably adjacent the remote faces ot each of said wires and travellingwith said wires at least through the forming zone, said foraminous beltseach providing a plurality of pores extending substantially transverselyof the length of the forming zone and opening therein, a slice, saidslice including jet nozzle means for thoroughly mixing the fibers o saidstock mixture to obtain an even distribution of the fibers therein andadjustable means thereafter feeding a controlled nonvarying amount ofsaid stock mixture from said mixing means directly into engagement withsaid opposed wires in said forming Zone at a velocity substantiallyequal to the velocity of the wires, and vacuum means for simultaneouslyprogressively removing water from opposite sides of the stock mixture inthe forming zone at substantially the same rate, said vacuum meansincluding a foraminous plate in engagement with the remote face of eachof said foraminous belts for rigidly supporting said belts and theirrespective wires throughout their length in the forming zone, said poresot said foraminous belts being of such a size whereby they cooperativelyhold substantially all of the water removed from said stoel; mixture atany given instant without impeding the flow of water from the stockmixture so that the surface ot said web is maintained substantiallywater free, said foraminous plate providing means cooperating with saidvacuum means for removing water from said pores in said foraminous beltsat a rate to enable said pores to continuously receive substantially allof such removed water from said mixture.

7. n a paper making machine, a pair of opposed travelling endless beltsdeiining therebetween an elongated tapered forming zone wherein a ibrousstock mixture is received and formed into a unitary web, said endlessbelts each including a fine mesh Wire providing a surface of saidforming zone and a foraminous belt operably adjacent the remote faces ofsaid wires and travelling with said wires at least through a part or"the forming zone, said oraminous belts each providing a plurality ofpores extending substantially transversely of the length of the formingzone and opening therein for communieating the forming zone to theremote surface of its respective endless belt, means for rigidlysupporting at least one of said endless belts throughout their length inthe forming zone, a slice, said slice including-jet nozzle means forthoroughly mixing the fibers of said stock mixture to obtain an evendistribution of the iibers therein and adjustable means thereafterfeeding a controlled nonvarying amount of said stock mixture from saidmixing means directly into engagement with said opposed ine mesh wiresin said forming zone at a velocity substantially equal to the velocityof the endless belts, means for simultaneously progressively removingwater from opposite sides of the stock mixture in the forming zone atsubstantially the same rate and depositing such removed water in thepores of said foraminous belts, said pores of said foraminous beltsbeing of such a size whereby they cooperativeiy hold substantially allof the water removed from said stock mixture at any given instantwithout impeding the flow of water from the stock mixture so that thesurface of said web is maintained substantiaily water free, and meansfor removing water from said pores in said foraminous belts at a rate toenable said pores to continuously receive substantially all of suchremoval Water from said mixture.

8. The paper making machine according to claim 7, wherein the formingzone is vertically disposed.

9. The paper making machine according to claim 7, wherein the means forremoving water from the stock mixture comprises vacuum means operablyadjacent the remote surfaces of said endless belts at the forming zone.

l0. The paper making machine according to claim 9, wherein said meansfor rigidly supporting said endless belts comprises a oraminous plateengaging each of said foraminous belts and forming part of said vacuummeans, and in which said means for removing water from the pores of saidforaminous belts includes surfaces provided by said oraminous plates forwiping the water from the pores of said foraminous belts, said endlessbelts insulating the web from said wiping surfaces.

ll. The paper making machine according to claim 7, wherein said endlessbelts each include a course mesh Wire disposed betweenrsaid line meshwire and said oraminous belt at least in said forming zone forsupporting the line mesh wire.

l2. The paper making machine according to claim 7, and means forrelatively shifting said endless belts for controlling the contour ofthe forming zone.

13. The paper making machine according to lclaim 7, wherein the formingzone is vertically disposed and in which said endless belts are eachcarried by a breast roll, said rolls being adjacent one another anddefining the upper edges of said forming zone.

14. The paper making machine according to claim 13, wherein saidadjustable feeding means of said slice feeds the stock mixture directlyinto the nip between the breast rolls for engaging said tine mesh wires.

l5. In a paper making machine, a pair of opposed travelling Wiresdefining therebetween an elongated tapered vertical forming zone whereina ibrous stock mixture is received and formed into a unitary web, porousmeans operabiy adjacent the remote surfaces of each of said wires andtravelling with said wires, a foraminous plate adjacent and engagingeach of said porous means at the remote side thereof for rigidlysupporting said wires and their respective porous means throughout theirlength in the forming zone, said foraminous plates providing a pluralityof passages inclined downwardly outwardly relative to said forming zoneand opening toward said porous means for communicating said porous meanswith the remote sides of said plates, said wires and porous meansinsulating said web from said foraminous supporting plate, a slice, saidslice including jet nozzle means for thoroughly mixing the iibers ofsaid stock mixture to obtain an even distribution of the fibers thereinand adjustable means thereafter feeding a controlled nonvarying amountof said mixture from said mixing means directly into engagement withsaid opposed Wires in said forming zone at a velocity substantiallyequal to the ve- 9 l@ locity of said wires, and vacuum means foropposite sides References Cited in the le of this patent of removingtvater from the stock mixture in the .forming UNITED STATES PATENTS zoned1rectly into said porous means at substantially the same rate, saidporous means freely conducting substan- 1,539,542 Carmichael May 26,1925 tially all of the Water removed from the stock mixture at 5 1,587,846 Lang June 8, 1926 any given instant away from the forming zone atsuch 1,794,433 Young Mar. 3, 1931 given instant and being adapted tohold substantially all 1,875,075 Mason Aug. 30, 1932 of such removedWater without impeding the ow of 1,880,686 Berry Oct. 4, 1932 water fromthe stock mixture, whereby the surface of 2,487,202 Wadleigh Nov. 8,1949 said Web is maintained substantially free of removed 10 2,881,686ThOmaS Apr. 14, 1959 Water, said passages of said foraminous platescooperat- 2,903,021 Holden et al Sept. 8, 1959 ing with said vacuummeans so that gravity supplements 2,969,114 Baxter Jan. 24, 1961 saidvacuum means for removing water from said porous 2,977,277 Kelley Mar.28, 1961 means at a rate to enable said porous means to continu-2,991,218 Cirrito et al. July 4, 1961 ously receive substantially all ofsuch removed water 15 3,044,925 Barlyn Ju1yl7, 1962 from said mixture.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTEFICATE 0F CORRECTION Patent No,3,11499028 September l51 1964 David E., Robinson It is hereby certifiedthat error appears in the above numbered patent requiring correction andthat the said Letters Patentl should read as corrected below.

Column 2v line 5y for "oooperativvely read coopera-u tively line 6 for"sheets" read sheet column 5I line l()g for "'holl" read roll Column 8line 2L, for "removal" read removed line 48,z after "said" insert breastcolumn 9 lines l and 2, for "opposite sides of removing water from" readsimultaneously progressively removing water from opposite sides ofcolumn 10 line lO for "2V88l68" read 2y88lv7 line l5,1 for "Barlyn" readBerlyn Signed and sealed this 2nd day of February 1965o (SEAL) Attest:

ERNEST W. SWIDER EDWARD J. BRENNER Attesting Officer Commissionery ofPatents

1. IN A PAPER MAKING MACHINE, A PAIR OF OPPOSED TRAVELLING WIRESDEFINING THEREBETWEEN AN ELONGATED TAPERED FORMING ZONE, WHEREIN AFIBROUS STOCK MIXTURE IS RECEIVED AND FORMED INTO A UNITARY WEB, POROUSMEANS OPERABLY ADJACENT THE REMOTE SURFACES OF EACH OF SAID WIRES ANDTRAVELLING WITH SAID WIRES, FORAMINOUS MEANS FOR RIGIDLY SUPPORTING ATLEAST ONE OF SAID WIRES AND ITS RESPECTIVE POROUS MEANS THROUGHOUT ITSLENGTH IN THE FORMING ZONE, SAID WIRES AND POROUS MEANS INSULATING SAIDWEB FROM SAID FORAMINOUS SUPPORTING MEANS, A SLICE, SAID SLICE INCLUDINGJET NOZZLE MEANS FOR THOROUGHLY MIXING THE FIBERS OF SAID STOCK MIXTURETO OBTAIN AN EVEN DISTRIBUTION OF THE FIBERS THEREIN AND ADJUSTABLEMEANS THEREAFTER FEEDING A CONTROLLED NONVARYING AMOUNT OF SAID MIXTUREFROM SAID MIXING MEANS DIRECTLY INTO ENGAGE,MENT WITH SAID OPPOSED WIRESIN SAID FRMING ZONE AT A VELOCITY SUBSTANTIALLY EQUAL TO THE VELOCITY OFSAID WIRES, MEANS FOR SIMULTANEOUSLY PROGRESSIVELY REMOVING WATER FROMOPPOSITE SIDES OF THE STOCK MIXTURE IN THE FORMING ZONE AT SUBSTANTIALLYTHE SAME RATE, SAID POROUS MEANS FREELY CONDUCTING SUBSTANTIALLY ALL OFTHE WATER REMOVED FROM THE STOCK MIXTURE AT ANY GIVEN INSTANT AWAY FROMTHE FORMING ZONE AT SUCH GIVEN INSTANT AND BEING ADAPTED TO HOLDSUBSTANTIALLY ALL OF SUCH REMOVED WATER WITHOUT IMPEDING THE FLOW OFWATER FROM THE STOCK MIXTURE, WHEREBY THE SURFACE OF SAID WEB ISMAINTAINED SUBSTANTIALLY FREE OF REMOVED WATER, AND MEANS FOR REMOVINGWATER FROM SAID POROUS MEANS AT A RATE ENABLE SAID POROUS MEANS TOCONTINUOUSL RECEIVE SUBSTANTIALLY ALL OF SUCH REMOVED WATER FROM SAIDMIXTURE.